美国大学本科入学申请网站Common Application（简称Common App）发布的官方分析报告指出，2021-2022申请季早申人数相较2019-2020年增加了13%，同比疫情下低迷的2020-2021申请季更是有了明显的反弹。
多所美国高校录取率上升的背后，却并不意味着今年申请录取的情况缓和，相反，其中的竞争强度是不减反增。在全球疫情影响下，美国大学采取了诸如延迟截止日期和实施考试可选政策等措施，以适应世界性范围内正在经历的不同变化，因此大学录取竞争也比以往任何时候都更加激烈。据此现象，达特茅斯学院本科招生和财政援助院长Jeremiah Quinlan指出，疫情期间，高等教育具有不确定性，因而国际学生可能更倾向于申请拥有更优质教学资源的TOP院校。
由于受到疫情的影响，今年美国多所高校的本科入学申请仍不强制要求学生提交标化成绩，如ACT（美国大学入学考试）和SAT（学术能力评估考试）成绩。然而，标化成绩可选择性提交的背后，实质也引发了各院校录取侧重点的变动——多所美国高校的本科招生办表示，他们将多领域考量申请者的背景和能力。哈佛大学官方表示，标化成绩是众多考虑因素的其中一项，而高中期间课堂内外的成绩，包括课外活动、社区参与、就业和家庭责任都会被视为录取考量的一部分。从录取结果分析来看，在多领域考量的过程中，个人特质鲜明的多元化人才，将更受到优质院校的青睐。从个人特质的角度，宾夕法尼亚大学的副教务长兼招生主任Whitney Soule指出，今年被录取的学生们展示了宾夕法尼亚大学的许多核心价值观，比如求知欲、协作、适应性和对他人的关心。
According to an official analysis by the Common App, the 2021-2022 Application season saw a 13% increase in early applications compared to 2019-20, Compared with the low 2020-2021 application season under the epidemic, there is a clear rebound.
The rise in acceptance rates at many American colleges does not mean that applications are easing up this year, but rather that competition is increasing. College admissions are also more competitive than ever as US universities adapt to the different changes being experienced worldwide with measures such as delayed deadlines and test-optional policies due to the global pandemic. As a result, Jeremiah Quinlan, dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid at Dartmouth College, points out that international students may be more inclined to apply to top colleges with better teaching resources at a time of uncertainty in higher education.
Due to the pandemic, standardized scores, such as ACT and SAT scores, are still not mandatory for undergraduate applications at many US universities this year. But the alternative submission of standardized scores has also triggered a shift in emphasis, with undergraduate admissions offices at a number of US universities saying they will consider applicants' backgrounds and abilities in a variety of areas. Harvard officials say standardized grades are one of many factors that are considered, and grades in and out of the classroom during high school, including extracurricular activities, community involvement, employment and family responsibilities, are considered as part of admission. According to the analysis of admission results, in the process of multi-field consideration, diversified talents with distinct personal characteristics will be more favored by high-quality colleges and universities. On a personal level, Whitney Soule, vice provost and director of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, said that this year's admissions exemplifies many of the university's core values, such as intellectual curiosity, collaboration, adaptability and concern for others.